There is a picture of Arthur Klobe standing at attention, hanged at the entrance of the Greatest Generation display at the Minnesota History Museum in St. Paul. Born 1919 in Young America, Klobe was among World War II strategist. He was the child of Alice and Herman Klobe and sister to Marguerite Paplow. He is well remembered for his straight forward personality and natural presence. It can be said that he enjoyed quite a long life in which he accomplished a lot as a result of his endless curiosity.
After pursuing his first degree from the University of Minnesota, he almost immediately pledged Phi Gamma Delta after joining the Reserve Officer Training Corp. He was enlisted in the United States Army after graduating from the University of Minnesota (McLaughlin). In his early 20s, Klobe was serving as Lieutenant Colonel on the European continent.
Coincidentally six months after he had graduated from university the United States began taking part in World War II. Since he was already in the Army Reserve his competence in aircraft technology made his superiors acknowledge his presence. In 1943 after arriving in England, he got the privilege of being part of the team organizing the Normandy Invasion. During his participation, the operation received the highest security clearance (Nolan). Klobe with the help of another officer showed their heroic character when they guided troops towards vessels that held reserves of ammunition while under fire. It was his obligation to deploy about 150,000 troops within a day to Germany from England.
Arthur was in a surrounding that he had to lead by example. By being more skilled and well educated to the extent of being promoted within less than a year after joining the army, it is likely that when he was in England in 1943 those below him looked up to him. This context gave him the courage he deserved in planning the Normandy Invasion, and from the support of his well cooperated team their operation turned to be a successful historic event.
According to Nina Archabal who is director of Minnesota Historical Society Arthur is the perfect example of the Greatest Generation. She believes so since he was part of a group that in spite of experiencing World War II both abroad and home they went on to build a nation that most people are proud of.
Additionally, it was after reaping success from the Normandy landing that Arthur Klobe joined a military unit that helped France liberate Paris from the German troops. This made it possible for him to be awarded Medaille d'Argent of the city of Paris and the French Croix de Guerre in 1965 and 1945 respectively. Another noble award worth mentioning that Klobe scooped included the United States Army Bronze Star. The government of France paid homage in 2009 awarding him the highest civilian honour which gave him credit as a Chevalier in the French Legion of Honor.
Klobe later held many executive and leadership posts for three decades in Cargill after retiring from the military. Before Art had gone for the World War II, he had just got married to Peggy. So people may choose to believe she contributed to the spirit and aspiration Klobe had while away. After retiring from Cargill together with his wife, they moved to Naples, Florida.
Arthur experience in the Normandy invasion fits into the larger story of World War II, and will be remembered for defeating Germany, which was accredited as the western Allies’ prime aim of war (Lüsted). It goes down in memory that it is in this operation that the Soviet Union in the east was relieved of pressure. Additionally, if it were not for this operation which Klobe was part of maybe Paris would not have developed to such a great city. Paris is mentioned among the best cities in the world and has come in handy in urbanizing France.
Works Cited
Lüsted, Marcia A. D-day: The Normandy Invasion. N.p., 2014. Print.
McLaughlin, John J. General Albert C. Wedemeyer: America's Unsung Strategist in World War Ii. Philadelphia: Casemate, 2012. Print.
Nolan, Cathal J. "World War II: German invasion of Poland (September 1-October 5, 1939)."The Encyclopedia of War (2011): n. pag. Print.
